Headache is a common complaint among many people. There are so many things that can give you a headache – arguments, traffic jams, deadlines, demanding bosses, lack of sleep and the list goes on.
If you are not aware, headaches are a way for your body to respond to stress, both physical and emotional. Any form of stress can cause the muscles in the head and neck to contract, resulting in tension headaches. It can also constrict blood vessels which later expand and produce vascular headaches or migraines.
If you often suffer from congested or infected sinuses, you probably know that they can also lead to pounding headaches. But despite the discomfort, headaches are more often than not temporary, and you can treat them easily with several home remedies. Would you like to learn on how to relieve headaches without medications? Read on to find out the best home remedies for headache.
Home Remedies To Get Rid of a Headache – Natural Headache Remedies
1. Head Rub with Rosemary and Thyme – In a recent study, it was found that rosemary and thyme oils contain carvacrol, which is a substance that acts as a COX-II inhibitor, similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Simple and effective, a head rub with one of these essential oils will quickly soothe away your headache. This is one of the best natural remedies for headache hands down.
How to Use:
- Dab 1 or 2 drops of rosemary or thyme essential on each temple and your forehead.
- Gently massage it with gentle to moderate pressure.
- Close your eyes and relax for a few minutes to allow the oil to relieve your headache.
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2. Ginger Tea – Good news for all ginger lovers, here is one more reason to love it more! You can actually use ginger to get rid of a headache. This powerful herbal remedy may work against migraines and tension headaches too, by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. It may also help get rid of the nausea that comes with migraines.
How to Use:
- Gently simmer 3 quarter-sized slices of ginger root in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes. Make sure that you cover the pot you are boiling it in.
- Drink this tea whenever you feel a migraine coming on.
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3. Chamomile Tea – In case of stubborn headaches, try some chamomile tea! There is nothing like a nice cup of chamomile tea to help you relax and soothe away stress, is there? This delicious tea has compounds that help in relaxing you and easing away pain.
How to Use:
- Brew 1 cup of chamomile tea using a tea bag in 1 cup of just-boiled water.
- Cover the cup and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
- You may add some honey to sweeten it.
- Sip the tea slowly in a place where you can get a little solitude.
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4. Foot-bath with Lavender and Peppermint Oils – Did you know that some natural healers recommend foot-baths for headaches? They are considered to be powerful in treating stress-associated headaches. When the hot water draws blood to your feet, it helps ease the pressure on the blood vessels in your head. Whereas the aroma of the essential oils provides soothing relief. Lavender and peppermint oil will help alleviate and rid a bad headache almost instantly.
How to Use:
- Add a few drops of lavender and/or peppermint essential oils to a basin of warm water.
- Dip your feet and relax for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the water and the oils to soothe away your headache.
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5. Cinnamon – This miracle spice is used by the Indians for generations now, to treat many different ailments and conditions, and a headache is no exception. It is a pretty simple remedy, though the benefits it bring are many.
How to Use:
- Grind a couple of cinnamon sticks into a powder.
- Add water and make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on your forehead and temples and lie down for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
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6. Cloves – If you are here today because of a frequently recurring throbbing headache, cloves could be just the solution you are looking for. It has pain-relieving and cooling properties that makes it great for an instant relief from headaches and even tootache .
How to Use:
- Gently crush a few cloves and put them in a clean handkerchief or sachet.
- Inhale the scent of the crushed cloves whenever a headache comes on until you get relief.
Method 2:
- Mix 2 drops of clove oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and sea salt.
- Gently massage your forehead and temples with the mixture.
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7. Apple and Apple Cider Vinegar – From fighting against diabetes to preventing heart disease and treating headache, apple is one fruit not to be taken granted for. Apple cider vinegar is said to offer similar benefits too. They both help in restoring the acid-alkaline balance in your body, thereby soothing away headaches. Try this the next time you are looking for a quick remedy for a nagging headache.
How to Use:
- If you wake up with a headache, cut a piece of apple, sprinkle with salt and eat it.
- Drink a glass of warm water afterward.
Method 2:
- Mix ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and ½ cup of water and boil in a covered saucepan.
- Remove from heat, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam from the hot mixture.
- This remedy provides instant relief from nagging headaches.
Method 3:
- Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 1 glass of water.
- Add a splash of fresh lemon juice and honey.
- Drink this mixture 2 to 3 times a day to prevent and treat headaches.
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8. Ice Pack – This is one of the best remedies for those who experience frequent headaches during pregnancy. It has no side effects whatsoever and works like a charm. The cold from ice helps in reducing inflammation linked to headaches with an addition of numbing effect on the pain.
How to Use:
- To treat migraine headaches, apply an ice pack to the back of your neck.
- You can also use a cloth soaked in ice cold water. Place the cloth over your head for 5 minutes. Repeat several times until you get relief.
- You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables as an alternative to ice compress. You will get much-needed relief after 30 minutes.
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9. Almonds – Do you usually pop a pill when you get a headache? It is high time that you resorted to a healthier alternative, almonds. Almonds are suitable to relieve your everyday tension type of headaches.This wholesome nut contains a substance known as salicin, which acts as a natural pain reliever.
How to Use:
- Whenever you feel a headache coming on, eat a handful or two of almonds. You will find that it works wonders in preventing a full-blown headache.
- However, keep in mind that almonds are a trigger food for those who suffer from migraines.
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10. Stretching Exercises – A few basic stretches can do wonders to reduce the intensity of the headaches you suffer. The trick is done by the improved blood circulation and relaxation of muscles upon stretching.
- An effective exercise is to move your chin left and right, upward and downwards and bend your neck sideways towards each shoulder.
- You can also try rotating your neck slowly in clockwise and anticlockwise direction. This will help keep your neck and shoulder muscles relaxed.
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As you can see, there are many simple yet effective home remedies for headache that you can try out to treat and prevent headaches. Why pop pills to get relief when you have much safer and healthier alternatives? Now that you know what to do the next time a headache hits you, do not worry- just look around your kitchen and you are bound to find something to help you soothe that nasty headache away.
